Tuesday, 31 July 2012

For some reason this nursery has been really stressful on my life. I just want everything to be perfect and it's made the decision making process really hard. The other hard thing has been not having as much money as I'd like to do it. Sometimes it's hard to pick what items you are going to splurge on and what pieces you are going to try and save on. I really just want to splurge on everything!

The color palette has also been hard to decide on. I wanted to do something different and push myself. Of course there will be pink but I also stepped outside of my comfort zone and I'm using something I hardly ever use... gray. Believe it or not I don't have gray anywhere in my whole house. So I'm introducing it in the nursery. Here is a little sneak peak of what I have so far.

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As you can see I've got a little pink, yellow and gray going on.

This room is tiny so it's a delicate balance to keep it from being too busy. Because of that I decided to go with simple bedding. I purchased the Punch Basics bumper from Serena and Lily and will be getting the crib skirt as well. My sheet is going to be one of my "splurge" items. I'm going to keep it a surprise!

I also bought the Stella Floor Lamp from Urban Outfitters. I love it! The color is really happy and the shape is a little whimsical which I like. For some reason I have a really hard time finding cool floor lamps so I've been so happy with the price and look of this one.

The rug was where I brought in a big chunk of gray. I bought the Moroccan Trellis rug and have so far been really happy with it. The pile and weight is really nice and I haven't had any kind of shedding problems.

I really wanted a comfy chair for the room so I was ecstatic when I found this one one Craigslist for $10! It's perfect. It rocks and swivels.

I know it appears to be hideous because it is. But try to image it reupholstered in a fabric like this:

I ordered the fabric today and I'm super excited. This chair will add a lot of "punch" to the room.

There is still a lot of fun stuff that is to come before this room is done. I can't wait to show you how it all turns out. One of my favorite elements is an amazing floral roman shade. Seriously you are going to die when you see it. Hopefully I get everything done before the baby arrives at the end of the summer!

I didn't think I was going to watch much of this Olympics, but here I am in the wee hours of the morning reliving my childhood horse passion, and cheering on the Australians in the Equestrian team as the horses power through the cross country. So a suitably horsey post to suit my mood.More pattern than horse (above via Design Sponge). I might be able to get away with this one at home. What would Lucinda Green say about this crazy dive (below). What I really want to know is how the horse got up there! Vintage photo from IndulgyAs a horse obsessed teen I would have given an arm and a leg for a horse inspired room like this one with the painted horses bed linen.Round up clockwise from left: HGTV & Elements of Style, Stephmodo & Build House Home

One evening while out on Lake Shasta, I climbed the ladder stairway to the top deck of the boat where some of us had gathered in the hot tub there. The sunset out beyond the lake caught my eye immediately, and my blossoming little photographer brain started whirring into action. I eyed my gorg sister-in-law in her cute striped and pink bikini, eyed the bar-top table at the end of the boat, cleared my throat, and said, “ummm… Kelsey? Can you come lay up on this counter thingee and let me take some pictures of you in the sunset?”

She very graciously obliged, and we were both blown away by the amazing shots we got. So much so that we did it again the next night with casual clothing and also with Kara our neice, for her senior portraits. (just you WAIT to see those… oh em geeee…)

I absolutely love the perfect summer vibe of these photos… Here are a few of my favorites.

Sunday, 29 July 2012

I've got a spare bottle of For Audrey China Glaze nail polish and would love to give it away to one of my followers :)

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It is peak peach season right now, and the absolute best time for recipes made with these succelent little orbs of juicy, sweet goodness. Nature’s candy, I tell you. And since it seems I copy everything she does, I knew I had to make my very own peach pie when Kristin mentioned she was making one the other night. It always helps to have friends who are far more Martha Stewart-esque than you, you know? They’re a good influence. Stay tuned for the same recipe from her later this week! But if you’re planning out the week’s meals and treats, be sure and add this easy and crowd pleasing pie to your agenda. Matthew was rendered speechless upon first spoonfuls of pie and ice cream yesterday afternoon. If caveman grunts are any indication of how delicious it turned out, I think it probably scored a ten. ;)

Organic Peach Pie*organic peaches are not necessary, but they are the one fruit I almost exclusively buy in organic due to the high pesticide content.

Preheat oven to 425. Place bottom pastry crust in pan. Mix flour, sugar, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Stir in peaches and lemon or lime juice. Turn into pie crust, and dot with butter. Cover with top pastry. Seal, flute, and cut a couple slits in the center. Cover edges with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake 15 minutes longer or until crust is golden brown, and fruit mixture is starting to bubble. Cool on wire rack. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, and enjoy!

Saturday, 28 July 2012

This is the only time I have ever liked an Ikat print, yes I know that makes me a trend heathen but I just don't like it, except for this one time. What I like even more is the bedside tables and lights being different, the rumpled bed, the bedside objet. Usually I feel I need to edit my rooms, this makes me feel I need to add more.Both images via Number NineteenI have just discovered Number Nineteen and I am in love with Mia's aesthetic. I love the contrast, the tones of light and shade, the way plants pop up everywhere. I can see that most of the weekend is going to be spent browsing through the archives.

Friday, 27 July 2012

Good Friday morning to you! I am off to a slow start this morning… and every morning this week, for that matter. Isn’t the week after a fabulous vacation just grand? Luckily, today I have a perfect little shop and two excellent blogs for you to browse. Enjoy them!

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Flow Designs and the lovely shop owner, Leslie, have been with me over there on my sidebar over a year now. I am so proud to help promote this gorgeous, quality jewelry—both on the blog and off! (I own a pair of Flow earrings and have given the jewelry as a gift.) You simply must visit the shop to get the full effect of these beautiful pieces, but here’s a little preview, as well… this one is my all time favorite!

Up next is a blog by another loyal sponsor of mine, Kristie Was Here. Kristie is the best of every world, if you ask me. A photographer with a really great eye for composition, a writer who really touches your soul and makes you think, and a beautiful person, inside and out. She writes openly and honestly about some of life’s toughest topics (divorce, suicide, depression), and you will find yourself lost in the pages of her blog. I have found myself both laughing and crying with her on more than one occasion. Write a book, Kristie? Great, thanks. :)

Secondhand Sundays is an absolutely beautiful blog by its equally beautiful author, Bekuh. This blog is a little slice of eclectic heaven, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll be hooked as soon as you step first foot over the virtual threshold. Get to know this vintage and handmade-loving, DIY-doing, delicious meal-making beauty a little more over here, and oh! Check out her closet. So many gorg, bright colors. Does anyone else want to live in there?! Enjoy this gem!